34 MUSSEL CULTURE 



West Loch Tarbert contains an extensive 

 mussel bed, but the loch is used for purposes of 

 oyster culture, and Messrs. Hay and Co., who 

 have the right of ' several fishery,' naturally do not 

 encourage the growth of mussels in the immediate 

 vicinity of their oyster beds. The mussel scalps, 

 however, are more extensive farther down the 

 loch than in the vicinity of the oyster fishery. 

 Messrs. Hay and Co.'s order was granted by the 

 Fishery Board in 1888. It is for an oyster and 

 mussel fishery. 



The Clyde Estuary, with its ramifying lochs, 

 contains many places where natural mussel beds 

 exist. Campbeltown Loch was at one time the 

 site of a fine mussel bed. The town common at 

 the head of the loch was formerly known as the 

 * Mussel Ebb,' having at one time been part of the 

 loch. Refuse from the town is said to have in- 

 jured other beds in the loch. The Dhoirlinn scalp 

 at Davaar is now also declining. Other beds of 

 the estuary are at Ardrishaig, Inveraray, Loch- 

 riddon. Holy Loch, and Loch Long. In all these 

 localities, and in the numerous bays and creeks 

 where less important beds exist, there is no 

 system of protection regularly carried on, nor is 

 the export of mussels to fishing centres attempted. 



